Port of Oshawa Meets Growing Demands of Businesses

Oshawa (June 21, 2016) - The Oshawa Port Authority hosted its Annual General Meeting today, releasing its 2015 audited financial statements that show the port’s expanded facilities continue to generate new investment and support local and regional businesses.

“Port expansion over the past several years is now paying off in a major way,” said Donna Taylor, President and CEO of the Oshawa Port Authority. “Investments in dock expansion, a new warehouse, the rail spur and cargo pad have made it possible to meet the growing demands of our port customers.”

• $10 million dock expansion: This investment allows the port to accommodate additional cargo. • New 48,000 square foot warehouse: It’s being used to house specialty steel piping for use in building construction.• $4.1 million rail spur: Its first shipment was 41 cars of steel headed for western Canada. • $2.5 million cargo pad: The pad, located 700 metres from the dock, was used over the winter for the production of blue salt for regional roads.

In 2015, the Oshawa Port Authority managed approximately $3.2 million in operating and capital expenditures. Dredging and the new transit shed at 1050 Farewell Street were among the largest capital expenditures.

The rail spur could support plans for a multi-billion dollar refurbishment of the Darlington nuclear power plant. Dock expansion could also allow the port to assist in Highway 407 expansion by accommodating aggregate cargo.

“Over the coming year there’s tremendous opportunity for growth at the port,” said Gary Valcour, Chair of the Oshawa Port Authority. “From power plant upgrades to highway expansion, the port is ideally positioned to play an important role as federal infrastructure funding rolls out.”

Port Stats

• In 2015, the Port of Oshawa handled 49 vessels, carrying over 378,000 metric tonnes of bulk cargo, a six percent increase from the previous year.• Each year, the port handles an average of $23 million worth of cargo, from steel and asphalt to grain.• The port generates close to $6 million annually in provincial and federal taxes, and supports 290 direct and indirect jobs at the port.

About the Oshawa Port AuthorityThe OPA was established by Letters Patent issued on January 25th, 2012 pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. The Oshawa Port Authority operates the Port of Oshawa and manages the associated harbour lands that are owned by the Crown.